All Things Product with Teresa and Petra

• Training vs. Coaching

  What’s the difference between product training and product coaching—and why does it matter? In this episode, Petra Wille and Teresa Torres unpack a topic that comes up all the time in product orgs: when do individuals and teams need structured training, and when is it time to bring in a coach? They walk through the core differences, share frameworks to help you decide what kind of support your team actually needs, and explore the skill-building journey from reading a book to mastering advanced discovery practices. Whether you’re an individual contributor trying to sharpen your discovery skills or a product leader wondering how to support your team, this episode breaks it all down with clarity and real-world examples. Tune in to learn: ✅ Why this conversation matters: Coaching is trendy, but is it always the right tool? ✅ Defining the difference between knowledge (training) and capability (skill-building) ✅ The role of flipped classrooms and experiential learning in product training ✅ Petra’s take on when coaching becomes valuable (hint: it’s not step one) ✅ Teresa’s 3 learning stages: concept, practice, and applying in context ✅ Why training is often a better starting point than coaching ✅ The case for community of practice as a “training alternative” ✅ When coaching really shines: dealing with org-specific or context-heavy challenges ✅ Coaching as a shortcut for product leaders (and the gap in leadership training) ✅ How coaching and training can work together — especially in scaled orgs ✅ Teresa’s flipped classroom model in practice (what it looks like in her courses) ✅ What makes a great product coach (hint: it’s not just experience at big-name companies) ✅ 7,500+ product coaches on LinkedIn?! A teaser for an upcoming episode on how to choose one

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  18:59
• Product Discovery with Internal Customers

  In this episode of All Things Product, hosts Petra Wille and Teresa Torres dive into a common challenge faced by internal product teams—relying on stakeholder meetings instead of proper discovery practices. Why do so many teams collect requirements through meetings rather than observing real user behavior? How can product teams better differentiate between stakeholders, end-users, and sponsors? Petra and Teresa break down why internal tools often fall into the requirement trap and share actionable strategies for conducting effective product discovery, even when your users are colleagues. They explore how to leverage internal access, the importance of story-based interviews, and how to optimize internal processes without stepping on toes. Tune in to learn: ✅ Why requirement meetings aren’t enough for internal product teams ✅ How to map stakeholders and distinguish users from influencers ✅ The power of story-based interviews for uncovering real needs ✅ How to leverage internal access to users for continuous discovery ✅ Practical steps for navigating process optimization and organizational dynamics If you’re working on internal tools or leading a product team that serves colleagues, this episode is packed with insights to help you move beyond stakeholder requirements and deliver impactful solutions.

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  13:56
• Frameworks: When to Use Them, When to Break Them

  Frameworks are everywhere in product management, from Business Model Canvases to Opportunity Solution Trees to Jobs to Be Done, and they promise structure, clarity, and efficiency. But what happens when they become rigid recipes that stifle creativity and slow down progress? In this episode, Petra Wille and Teresa Torres explore the pros and cons of product frameworks and share how to make them work for you—rather than against you. Join us as we discuss: ✅ Why frameworks are helpful when you’re learning but can hold you back as you gain experience ✅ How to adapt frameworks to fit your team’s needs and context ✅ When it’s time to break free from a framework and create your own ✅ Why the real value of frameworks lies in sparking meaningful conversations—not in filling out every box ✅ How to avoid the trap of treating frameworks as rigid recipes and instead use them as scaffolding for learning Whether you’re new to product management or a seasoned pro, this conversation will help you use frameworks more effectively, avoid common pitfalls, and find the freedom to innovate.

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  20:32
• AI-Generated Opportunity Solution Trees

  In this episode of All Things Product, Petra Wille and Teresa Torres dive into a hot topic circulating on LinkedIn: AI-generated Opportunity Solution Trees. With AI tools like Synthetic Users promising instant user insights, should product teams embrace them—or avoid them altogether? Teresa and Petra break down the risks of AI-driven research, why real human interaction is irreplaceable, and how relying on synthetic data could mislead your product decisions. Plus, they share practical tips on balancing AI efficiency with real customer discovery. 🎧 Tune in for an insightful discussion on why real conversations still matter in product development!

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  18:53
• Deep Work

  In this episode of All Things Product, hosts Petra Wille and Teresa Torres dive into a challenge many product leaders face—making time for deep work. Why is it so hard to block off focused time for strategic thinking, team alignment, and creative exploration? Why do so many product leaders feel guilty about stepping away from daily execution? We explore how deep work can transform product strategy, improve decision-making, and boost team effectiveness. Petra shares insights from coaching product leaders who struggle to prioritize deep thinking, while Teresa offers practical tips on carving out time for what truly moves the needle. Tune in to learn: ✅ What deep work really means in a product context ✅ Why product leaders often neglect it (and why that’s a problem) ✅ How to make time for strategic thinking—without feeling guilty ✅ Practical techniques to protect your calendar and focus on what matters If you’re a product manager, designer, or leader looking to make more intentional space for creativity and strategy, this episode is for you.

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